Aerial ropeway



Feb. 2 1926.

J. GATZWEILER AERIAL ROPEWAY Filed ,my 2, 1g24 Feb. 2 1926. 1,571,520

J. GA-rzwr-:ILER

AERIAL RoPEwAY Filed July 2, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES reus-za PATENT OFFICE.

JOHANNy GATZWEILER, OF LEIPZIG-GOHLS, GERMANY, ASSGNOR TO .ADOLF BLEICHERT & COMPANY, OF I JTJPZIG'*(rOtIiSY GERMANY.

AERIAL BOPEWAY.

Application filed July a, 192e. serial no. 723,657.

T0 all whom t may concern:

Be itknown that I, JOHANN Grarzwnmna,

a citizen of the German Republic, residing at Leipzig-Gohlis, Leipzig, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Aerial Ropeways, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to aerial ropeways and it has particular relation to apparatus ol the character designated embodying carrying ropes and a traction rope, that is, a rope or ropes on which the load is carried and another rope attached to the loaded vehicle and movable to propel said load along the carrying rope, which latter is, ott course, stationary.

On ropeways with which I am familiar and embodying a stationary carrying rope and a moving traction rope, the latter will take, in consequence ofits longitudinal tension, a. portion of the load between the supporting points when the sag of the traction rope is less than that of the carrying rope. At the rope supporting points, however, where the traction rope is carried by rollers which are fitted either below the car or loaded vehicle, or directly under the trac` tion rope clip, the traction rope will be lifted from its supporting rollers by reason oi the clip interposing betweensaid rollers and the rope. This action results in the carrying rope being loadectwith the dead weight of the load usually borne by the carrying rope. The load on the carrying ropes at the load supporting points which results from this action even exceeds ,the weight ot the loaded car, this following because the traction rope at this point bears no portion of the load, and as a matter of fact imposes, on the carrying rope, as added weight, the load of the traction rope itself.

It is, therefore, obvious that at the supporting points the carrying rope is subjected to a markedly higher stress than 1t 1s at any point between the supports. The rope wears out quite quickly at the supporting points and the eiective life of the rope as a whole is thereby considerably shortened, since the intermediate elements are generally too short to be economically utilized.

My invention, therefore, has for its principal object the provision Otan improved Aaerial system whereby the lifting of .the

traveling traction rope from its supporting rollers will be prevented, so that the traction rope, even at these points, will be caused to bear a share of the load. The carrying rope will not, therefore, be subjected to the above-explained higher stresses at the supporting points, whereas a marked increase in the life of the carrying rope will bese-` cured. Moreover, with the assurance that the traction rope will bear its proper share of the load weight throughout its length, a suitable tension can be selected for said traction rope whereby the maximum balanced portion of the weight of the load will be borne by said traction rope between the points of support.

In order to attain the above object, l provide a special connection between the traction rope clips or traction rope carrying rollers and their supports. As will hereafter be more fully pointed out, thereci`p rocal `shitting between the `traction rope carrying rollers and the clips is arranged to take place in the vertical plane in which the traction rope is located, and a shitting partis guided Vat right angles to the traveling rope. The result of this arrangement is that there will be no lateral shitting of ther traction rope when the traction rope clip passes over the rope carrying rollers, and,

therefore, the traction rope will not have the `tendency to fall from the rope roller.

Again, I arrange the traction rope clip soA thatit has a certain amount of play in its upward and downward movements between shift stops, whereby a desirable partial loading oi the traction rope and a corresponding relief of the carrying rope will result. The same result is attainedi in a given degree on reciprocally shifting traction rope carrying rollers and clips by providing in addition to the traction rope, a load on the shifting part which will counteract. the reciprocal shifting. This load will alter as soon as the detent alluded to comes into action. Y

My invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawing, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational, sectional View taken on the line A-B of Y Fig. 2, which latter is a side velevational view showing the load mechanism titte-,Cl to the carrying 4and traction ropes;

Figffl is a plan view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an elevational, sectional view similar to Fig. 1, but illustrating the malt ner in which my device will negotiate curves,

Fig. 4A is a simplified diagramma-tic showing of the manner in which the stresses in my system are distributed and balanced;

Fig. 5 is an elevational, sectional view of a modification of the device shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive; I

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevational, sectional view of another modification;

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of onel form which my invention contemplates;

Fig. S is a side elevational view of anotherl form; and e Fig. 9 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. 8.

Referring now more particularly to the device illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, running wheels 1-1 are mounted on a carriage frame 2. One arm 3 of a pliers-shaped traction rope clip is pivoted at 4 to oscillate in said frame 2, being supported in its lowermost position by a joint or abutment 5 en the carriage frame 2, and in its highest position by the abutment 6 on said frame.

Another arm 7 of said clip is pivoted to the frame 2 by a bolt 8, and at its other end carries a roller 9vwhich is movable in a horizontal slot of the slide-piece 10. The

latter islitted in vguide grooves 11 (see Fig. 1) to permit vertical shifting in the carriage frame 2. This slide-piece 10 is connectedto the load carrier proper 12 by a swivel connection 13.A It is apparent, therefore, that when load is imposed on 12 it acts on the arm 7 of the clip through downward pressure on the `slidable member 10 whereby the closing force is generated to grip the traction rope. A coupling roller 14 is provided at the lower portion of the load carriage, and the opening and closing of the clip arms may be accomplished through this latter, in a well known manner.

A traction rope supporting roller 15 is fitted in a sup-porting frame at regular points along the path of travel of said rope. The carrying rope 16 supports the rollers 1 and is, of course, stationary while. said rollers roll therealong. A movable traction rope 17 is shown as being gripped by the arms 3 and 7 of the traction rope clip and passing over roller 15.

In orderto explain the manner in which a definite portion of the load is borne by the traction rope 17, reference may be had to Fig. 4A which is a simplified diagram-v natic showing of the essential elements of my structure and the manner in which the stresses are distribute-d ther-ein and borne by said traction and carrying ropes.

I have represented the center of gravity of the entire load as lying on a vertical line S and, thereforethe weight of the load carri-er and load is represented as G, which weight acts as shown by the arrow through the center of gravit-y. It will be remenibered, moreover, that the weight-carrier 12 is slidably arranged in the carriage portion 2. This has been illustrated in the sketch by the arrows p-p which represent the torque stresses imposed on the carriage 2 when the weight Gr acts along the line S, by reason of this force G acting to the side of the slideway.

The traction rope clips are represented in the simplified view by one composite arm 8/7, which arm is supported at its outer end by the traction rope 17, the force at the point being represented by the arrow A, which acts about the. pivot point 4, at which point the arms of the rope clip are support-ed on the carriage 2.

The supporting force of the carrying rope 1G is indicated bythe arrow C, represcntingl the upward force exerted by said carrying rope. A

It will be seen from a consideration of this simplified drawing that the entire load is transferred to the carriage 2 and the carrying rope 16, through the roller on the arms 3/7 and thev support of these arms at 4, and, therefore, the stress represented by the arrow B is equal to G-A.

In order now to prove that the traction rope will bear, by reason of the novel arrangement of the elements heretofore described, a proportion of the load, the following equations may be set down, remem-y bering that the sum of the. moments about a given point must be equal to zero, and also noting that the distance betweenthc traction rope and the point 4 is designated as Y), and that the distance between the point where load carrier 12 is connected to arm 3/7 and point is designated as a. Therefore,

Now the entire weight of the car consists of theweight ofthe carriage bodyitself, which is represented by g acting at the point shown, plus the load weight' G. lvloreover, a balanced condition must be realized between the weightsG and g and the supporting ropes exerting the upward forces A andk It follows, therefore, that the actual weight imposed on the carrying rope will be less than the weight which would otherwise be imposed thereupon; that is, the paren thesis (1 will always, under practical conditions, be less than 1, and it is apparent that any desired degree of in'iposition of weight upon the traction rope may be provided for. Moreover, since the center of gravity of the entire device is considerably below the supporting points A and C, this point can freely deflect and automatic adjustment will always take place.

In the type of apparatus above described7 I select a. relative position of the traction rope in such manner that the clip will guide the traction rope on the opposite side ot the load carriage and tar enough above the rope level of the traction so that rollers 1S (see Fig. 4) arranged in a horizontal plane may pass between the carrier and the rope clip. A. thrust roller 19 is litted on the traction rope clip and arranged to contact with a guide 20. This particular showing illustrates the ease with which weight carriers may traverse curves when the same are supported by mechanism arranged in accordance with my invention.

1When the opening in the traction rope clip is towards the bottom, the lower ends of the clip jaws may be made very short and arranged to correspond with the periglr eral groove in the traction rope rollers. This not only promotes a smooth passage or' the clip over the rollers, but at the same time reduces to a minimum the shitting of the clip arm.

In Fig. 5 I have illustrated a device which is much the same as those shown in F and L1, with the exception that the tra on rope in this system is disposed, at the supporting points, slightly above the carrying rope, or approximatf-ly at the top level ot the track. I lind that this system is et special advantage in that no lateral shift of the clip willoccur when` the vehicle or weight carrier oscillates transversely oli the. direction oic travel, whereby the accurate introduction oit the tnaction rope into the clip, when coupling, is insured.

The deviceillustrated in Fig. 6 shows a rope clip ot simplest type which is tightened by means ot a screw nut. In this ligure one jaw 21 of the rope clip is secured on a slide 22, which latter is arranged to ship vertically in the carriage 2, whereas the other `jaw 23 is drawn through the nut 211 by means of its bolt, which latter is: turni'shed with a thread. A lever 25 with a closing weight 26 causes movement of the screw. A spring 27 gives a counter loading effect when the rope clip tends to shift. It will be noted that the load carrier 12 is carried directly on the carriage casing 2 by the bolt 13, as before.

In Fg- 7 a ,type ,is represented on which the reciprocal shifting of traction rope carrying rollers and clips is transmitted to the carrying rollers. Two traction rope carrying rolle s 2S are fitted to oscillate around the bolts 29 on the support by means of the lever of a balance 30. Each ot these is loaded Yby the other to counteract shitting away from the traction rope clip.

In F igs.` 8 and 9 a device for a similar purpose is shown with only one traction rope carrying roller 31. The bearings 32 of the roller are fitted to shift vertically on two plate-springs 33. The bendingresistance oit the springs leads the roller to counteract the pressure of the traction rope clip.

The rope clips which are litted to shii'tt towards the traction rope carrying rollers in the plane in which the traction rope is located and at right angles to the traveling track, can also be utilized to relieve the carrying rope from the additional load from the traction rope only, when relieved. oit the forces counteracting the reciprocal shitting movement, without a part oi? the vehicle load being transmitted to the traction rope.

While I have described a plurality of embodiments of my invention, it is apparent that many other modifications thereof may occur to those skilled in the art which will notdepart 'from my invention, and I desire the latter, therefore, to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims or by the prior art.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters- Patent ot the United States is:

1. In combination in an aerial ropeway embodying a carrying rope and a traction rope, .a load carriage n'ien'iber, and means yconnecting said carriage to said ropes to insure that both of the latter are loaded at all times.

2. In combination in an vaerial ropeway enibodying a carrying rope and a traction rope, supporting members lor said traction rope, load carriage means, and clip means so connecting said carriage to said traction rope that the latter bears a portion ot the load when passing over said members.

3. In combination in an aerial ropeway embodying a carrying rope and a traction rope, supporting members :tor said traction rope, load carriage means, and vertically reciprocal clip means so connecting said carriage to said traction rope that the latter bears a portion ot theload when passing over said members.

4. In combination in an aerial ropeway embodying a carrying rope, a traction rope, and spaced supports tor the same, a carriage member, a load supporting member connected to said carriage member and shiftable vertically with respect thereto and a traction rope clip secured to said load sup porting member.'P

5. In combination in an aerial ropeway embodying a carrying rope, a traction rope, and spaced supports for the same, a load supporing member, a traction rope elipsecured to said member, and means permitting the shifting ot said clip in the vertical plane ot said traction rope and at right angles to the path ol' travel.

G. In combination in `an aerial ropeway enibodying a carrying rope, a traction rope, and spaced supports :tor the same,` a load supporting member, a carriage having guides therein in w iich said load supporting member may vertically shift, and a traction rope clip secured to said load supporting` member.

7. In con'ibination in an aerial ropeway embodying a carrying rope, a traction rope, a load supporting member, a carriage and a traction rope clip comprising two arms, one of the latter being pivoted on said carriage and the other adapted for vertical reciprocation with respect to said carriage.

8. In combination in an aerial ropeway embodying a carrying rope, a traction rope, a load supporting member, a carriage and a traction rope clip Acomprising two arms, one of the latter being pivoted on said carriage, a roller secured to said load supporting` member and the end of the other ot said arms being secured to said roller whereby vertical reciprocation of said arm with respect to said carriage may taire place.

9. In combination in an aerial ropeway embodying a carrying rope, a traction rope, a load supporting member, a carriage and a traction rope clip comprising two arms, one of the latter being pivoted on said carriage, a roller secured to said load supporting member and the end of the other Vot said arms being secured to said roller, and means comprising guides in said carriage whereby said roller may shiit in the v-ertical plane of said traction rope and at right angles to the path of travel.

10. In combination in an aerial ropeway embodying a carrying rope, a traction rope, a load supporting member, a carriage and a traction rope clip comprising two arms, one of the latter being pivoted on said carriage and the other adapted for vertical reciprocation with respect to said carriage, and means for limiting the upper and lower movements of said last named arm.

11. In combination in an aerial ropeway embodying a carrying rope, a traction rope, and spaced supports for the same, a traction rope clip adapted to shift in the vertical plane of thetraction rope and at right angles to the path et travel, andv means for imposing an Vadditional load, in addition to the traction low the level of said carrying rope support whereby the negotiation of curves 1n a horizontal plane is possible.

13. In combination in an aerial ropeway embodying a carrying rope, a traction rope, and spaced supports for the same, a traction rope clip adapted to shift in the vertical plane of the traction rope and at right angies to the path of travel, said clip comprising jaws opening downwardly, a load supporting member, said clip being arranged on the side of the carrying rope opposite the said load supporting member and below the level or" said carrying rope Support whereby the negotiation of curves in a horizontal plane is possible, a thrust roller on said clip, and aguide on the support at said curve against which saidk thrust roller bears.

14. In combination in an aerialfropeway embodying a carrying rope and a traction rope, va load carriage-member, a traction rope-supporting roller, ,means connecting said carriage to said ropes to insure that both of the latter are loaded at all times, said means comprising a traction rope clip adapted to shift in the vertical plane of the traction rope and at right angles to the path of travel, said clip opening downwardly Vand comprising relatively short arms which latter are shaped to conform to the contour of the traction rope-carrying roller, whereby the litt of said clip is minimized.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JOHANN GATZVEILER.

Certicate of Correction.

t is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,571,520, 0ranted February 2, 1926, upon the application of Johann Gatzweiler, of LeipZig-rohlis, Germany, for an improvement in Aerial Ropeways, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 2, line lOQ, after the Word point insert the numeral If; page 3, line 55, for the Word ship read shift; page 4, line 4L, claim 5, for the misspelled Word supporing read supporting; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these. 4corrections therein that the same may contorni to the record of the ease in the Patent Oilice.

Signed and sealed this 13th day of Aipril, A. D. 1926.

[SEAL] M. J. MOORE,

Act/ng 00m/missione?" of Patents. 

